B. Main Topics 1) Status and the Cause of Irregularities in the Army A) Raising the Issues of Irregularities in the Barracks, Including the Marine Corps An active duty soldier serving in the 1st Division of the Marine Corps left the country without permission on Mar. 21 to join the Ukrainian International Corps while on vacation. This incident received a lot of attention when it became known through the media during the escalating Ukrainian-Russian war, and in a telephone interview, he said that “as a soldier, I could not just watch the civilians continuing to die.373) I came with the idea of dying a meaningful death rather than making an extreme choice.”374) He was denied entry at the border on the Ukrainian side, and after staying in a local refugee camp, he expressed his intention to return. On Apr. 25, the Marine Corps investigation team secured him and transported him back to Korea. The Marine Corps said of the soldier that, “they will investigate the details of his departure from the military service in the future and take strict action according to the laws and regulations.”375)376) Meanwhile, on Jul. 28, civil groups raised a claim that a victim who had been beaten and harassed for a long time by seniors in the Marine Corps passed out and was being hospitalized for post-traumatic stress disorder.377) The victim asserted to his senior officers that he was subjected to verbal abuse, abusive language, unreasonable pressure to memorize, assault, and harsh behavior while working at the guard post, and even though the unit officers were aware of this, he suffered from secondary damage from comments, including “it’s a problem with your mental strength” and “other comrades were also beaten, so why is it only you?” etc. 373) Regarding the above claim, the Marine Corps said, “the harsh act that he claimed was a friction with his senior, and we investigated this. The perpetrator has been transferred to another unit per his request.” However, as he again insisted that he had been subjected to harsh treatment, the military announced a policy to thoroughly investigate the facts. 374) Segye Ilbo, Active-duty Marine Entering Ukraine stated, “He would choose a meaningful death than making an extreme choice.” Mar. 22, 2022. 375) If he is handed over to trial pursuant to Article 30(1)(3) of the Military Criminal Act, he may be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than one year and not more than 10 years. 376) SBS, A Marine Who Tried to Enter Ukraine Requests Business Seat, Apr. 25, 2022. 377) Military Human Rights Center Press Release, Jul. 28, 2022. 161